Graphic display system

ABSTRACT

A display system for graphic indicia includes a source of illumination mounted in a cabinet having an open viewing side. A light-diffusion plate is mounted in the opening of the cabinet; and a glass plate having a low light transmissivity is mounted in front of the diffusion plate, and it forms part of the cabinet structure for the light source. A plastic plate bearing a negative reproduction of the indicia to be displayed is removably interposed between the diffusion plate and the glass plate; and there is provision for overlapping of opaque areas of superposed indicia-bearing plates to form a complete light seal except of the transparent indicia itself. A transparent color film of plate may, if desired, be interposed between the diffusion plate and the indicia plate or film.

[ 1 Jan. 2, 1973 United States-Patent 91 Mabrey et al. 7

3,168,787 2/1965 Surrey..................................40/63X 3,292,287 12/1966 Marn........................................40/77 [54] GRAPHIC DISPLAY SYSTEM [76] inventors: Llndell E. Mabrey, 729 Old Trail, 7

"lghland Park 60035; Richard FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS C. Fogelson, 431 Oakdale, Chicago, 111. 60657 1,099,513 l/l968 Great Britain............................35/45 [22] Filed: July 19, 1971 Primary Examiner-Robert W. Michell Assistant Examiner-Richard Carter 21 Appl. NO.Z 164,069

Attorney-Dawson, Tilton, l'fallon & Lungmus Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 734,414, June 4, 1968,

ABSTRACT A display system for graphic indicia includes a source of illumination mounted in a cabinet having an open viewing side. A light-diffusion plate is mounted in the opening of the cabinet; and a glass plate having a low light transmissivity is mounted in front of the diffusion abandoned.

[52] US. Cl.......,.............40/219, 40/63 R, 40/133 B [51] Int. 13/12 [58] Field of Search ...............40/63, 133 B, 132, 219

plate, and it forms part of the cabinet structure for the light source. A plastic plate bearing a negative reproduction of the References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS indicia to be displayed is removably interposed between the glass plate; and there is provision of opaque areas of superposed indiciato form a complete light seal except of the transparent indicia itself. A transparent color film of plate may, if desired, be interposed between the diffusion plate and the indicia plate or film.

2 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures 11/1920 Kornicker..

Fabian....... Nissen et al 1111930 Barnes....... Lindstrom.

6/1956 Whittlesey.

Myers et a1. Guyer et a1.

e i G 6 l 9 1 4 PATENTED JAN 2 7 SHEET 1 OF 3 BACKGROUND The present invention relates to a display system; more particularly, it relates to a system for displaying graphic messages or other information wherein the information, although composed of separate elements, is displayed on a field having the visual appearance of a continuous, uninterrupted opaque ground.

Display systems are known which have a source of light for illuminating an indicia-bearing film or plate with a diffusion plate interposed between the two or forming an integral part of the message being displayed. However, in the main, such prior systems have not attained the effect-achieved by the present system, namely achieving a continuous, uninterrupted ground for the information being displayed. For example, in a building directory wherein each of the names on the directory are on separate elements, prior directories have given the overall appearance of being composed of individual and separate elements which, from the viewpoint of graphic arts design, is undesirable.

Further, other disadvantages have been inherent in prior systems in replacing or relocating individual ones of the indicia-bearing elements in such directories. In addition to overcoming these shortcomings, the present system has found application in more generalized dis play systems, such as store front signs, location indicators, etc., as illustrated by the embodiments described herein.

SUMMARY One embodiment of the present invention provides a housing or cabinet which contains a source of light (which may be a plurality of fluorescent tubes) and has an open window or face side. Mounted in the face side of the housing are, in the order named and proceeding away from the light source, a diffusion plate, a trans parent color plastic film or plate (if any), an indiciabearing plastic plate or film which has the negative of the message imprinted photographically on a light-imprevious ground; and an exterior glass faceplate having a very low light transmissivity, of the order of percent.

The instant system, as indicated by the number of embodiments disclosed in the following detailed description accompanied by the attached drawing, may be used in any number of display situations. A unique visual impression is caused by a uniform illumination field behind the transparent indicia being displayed together with the use of the darkened glass faceplate having a low optical transmissivity. Thus, exterior light is greatly attenuated before it strikes the indicia-bearing surface; and the opaque ground on which the indicia is formed appears as though it is continuous even though it may in fact be formed of a number of separate replaceable elements cooperating to form a light seal between adjacent edges.

In the case of the directory a film acts as the message-bearing medium, and an overlapping of these elements forms the light seal to prevent the escape of light at adjacent edges. If the medium is a plastic plate,

abutting edges of the separate elements are darkened to prevent light escape through the message plate.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to persons skilled in the art from the following detailed description.

THE DRAWING FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention in combination with a bank counter top;

FIG. 2 is a transverse cross section view of the display channel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the lighttransmitting subassembly of the channel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partially-sectioned plan view of the display channel of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 5-7 illustrate a similar display system as might be used above a store front;

FIGS. 8-9 illustrate another embodiment of the inventive principle in connection with an elevator floor display;

FIGS. 10-l0a illustrate another embodiment of the inventive principle in connection with a building directory; and

FIGS. 11-15 illustrate still another type of building directory according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Each of the stations arranged along the counter 10 may be further provided with a dish or receptacle 13 for receiving money, checks, books, etc. Mounted on the top 12 of the counter 10, a display channel, generally designated 14, extends longitudinally of the counter and is located more toward the teller side of it. The display channel 14 is attached to the counter top 12 by means of a number of upstanding legs 15 spaced therealong and permitting access to the dish 13 from either side of the counter 10.

It is desirable to use an open-top type of counter for tellers cages as illustrated; but this has presented certain problems, namely, easier access to cash, etc. on the back counter 10a by customers at the front of the counter In this particular embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the display channel 14, in addition to displaying the name of the teller as well as certain messages to customers, provides the function of limiting access to the tellers side of the counter. Thus, the height of the legs 15 is arranged so that, although the teller may easily pass money and bank books to the dish 13; nevertheless, the reduced vertical spacing between the display channel 14 and the counter top 12 is such that an arm cannot freely pass completely between the two. Further, since the counter top is chest-high, and the front table 11 protrudes from the counter 10, the height of the display channel 14 is such as to limit ,access behind the counter.

Turning now to FIGS. 2 and 4', the details of the display channel 14 are seen more clearly. The display channel has a cabinet or housing having a bottom 16 and back 17 which are extruded as an integral, L- shaped member extending longitudinally of the channel. A recess 18 is formed lengthwise of the channel in the top surface and adjacent the front of the bottom 16 for receiving a vertically-placed advertising subassembly generally designated 19, described in greater detail presently.

A top or cover 20 is removably attached to the top of the back 17 to form a removable cover for the channel 14 thereby providing access to its interior both for replacing the electrical components therein and substituting the names, advertising slogans, etc. in the advertising subassembly 19. A recess 21, similar to the previously-described recess 18 is formed in the lower surface of the top 20 in vertical register with the recess 18; and it also receives the advertising subassembly 19. Thus, the top 20 together with the bottom 16 and back 17 provide a cabinet having an open front or face side for receiving the advertising subassembly 19 which forms part of the structure of the channel.

The channel 14 is separated into modules extending lengthwise with each module, containing a first section generally designated 22 (FIG. 4) for storing a ballast 23 and starters 24, and a number of other separatelyexcited compartments 26, each containing a fluorescent tube 27 mounted in sockets 28. The sockets 28 are mounted inboard of separating spacers 29 which define the sides of the compartments 22 and 26. Each of the tubes 27 may be provided with a toggle switch so that each compartment may be selectively lighted. The spacers 29 are arranged to prevent the transmission of light between adjacent compartments so that if one compartment is lit, an adjacent compartment will not display its message unless its fluorescent tube is also excited, as more fully explained within.

Selected ones of the legs 15, for example, the leg 31, are hollow to provide a conduit for coupling feed wires 32 through the counter top into the display channel 14. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the wires 32 are then routed through a rear corner raceway 33 longitudinally of the display channels 14 for coupling to each of the pins associated with the sockets 28.

Turning now to the advertising subassembly 19, proceeding outwardly from the interior of the channel 14, there are arranged in the order named and extending vertically of the face or window of the channel, a diffusion plate 34, a transparent plastic plate 35, a first opaque plastic plate 36, and a second plastic plate 36a, and a glass faceplate 37. The diffusion plate 34 may be formed of any number of conventional materials which will cause diffusion of the light generated by the fluorescent tube 27 to provide a uniform illumination field behind the advertising being displayed. Preferably it is a commercially-available plastic marketed under the tradename and it is translucent but not transparent and has fairly good transmissivity. Each of the plates 35, 36 and 364, as shown, are rigid plastic plates; however, the transparent plate 35 provides a color background for its associated advertising indicia, if desired. It may be a plastic film marketed under the tradename Mylar with like results. The plate 36 has an opaque section 36b on which is formed transparent indicia designated by reference numeral 360. The indicia 360 may contain the name of the particular teller so that a simple replacement of the plate 36, the display will indicate the name of a replacement teller.

The plate 36a is similar to the plate 36 in that it has transparent indicia 36d formed on an opaque ground 36c. The plate 36a is provided with an aperture 36f in register with the tellers name to be displayed. The ground 36b of plate 36 cooperates with and overlaps the ground 36e of plate 36a to form alight seal between them. Thus, the only light transmitted through the two indicia plates is that which is transmitted through the indicia itself; and the effect is to form a continuous, unbroken opaque ground when combined with the faceplate described below.

The indicia is formed by a conventional photographic technique on the indicia-bearing plates 36 and 36a so that they bear the negative of the message or information. That is, the lettering or characters appear as transparent portions of an opaque ground. One such machine is sold under the name FILM-O TYPE machine; and it is manufactured by the FlLM-O-TYPE Co. of Skokie, Ill.

The faceplate 37 has a substantially reduced light transmissivity, preferably about 10 percent although a transmissivity of 2-25 percent is satisfactory. In one embodiment, the faceplate 37 is laminated and composed of two separate layers of conventional plate glass with interposed films so that all the elements of the display subassembly are tightly secured together. This particular glass is manufactured by Amerada Glass Co. of Elk Grove, Illinois.

It will be apparent to persons skilled in the art, however, that any architectural-type glass which has good optical qualities including low distortion and has a reduced light transmissivity may be used. Specifically, glass having a substance uniformly distributed throughout and comprised of a single layer may also be used; however, in this latter, when a particular indicia is viewed from an angle, the transmissivity varies as compared with that which is observed when viewed from a head-on position.

The width of the recesses 18 and 21 are just sufficient to receive the advertising subassembly and to hold it firmly in place. The bottom and lower front edge of the faceplate 37 is adhesively secured to the front corner of the recess 18; and it forms a structural part of the cabinet. The interior edges of the aperture 36f are preferably covered with an opaque paint.

The transparent indicia, illuminated by the uniformly-intense field caused by the diffusion plate 34, contributes to the aesthetically pleasing and easyto-read display of the information. Further, a very high degree of resolution is obtained in forming the indicia 36c and 36d, it being understood that conventional photographic techniques may be used for forming it to provide an optical resolution of very great accuracy, similar to that found in photographs and the like.

Turning now to FIGS. 57, there is illustrated a somewhat larger display system incorporating some of the principles previously described. The sign illustrated is designed for placement above the display windows of a store front; and it will be apparent that it may run continuously in front of and above a number of different such doors, it being modular as was the previously-described channel.

As seen in FIG. 5, the overhead display channel is greatly enlarged from the counter-top type described previously; and it is generally designated by reference numeral 50.

The display channel 50 may either be fully extended in front of the face of the building to which it is secured as seen in the drawing, or it may be recessed in the face of the building. The embodiments shown in FIGS. 5-6 includes a three-sided channel including top 51, back 52, and bottom 53 which define an open face into which is fitted the advertising subassembly 54. Interior of the channel 50 a plurality of fluorescent tubes 55 extend longitudinally and may be mounted according to conventional methods. Again, a lower comer raceway 56 (see FIG. 7) is provided for routing the electrical wires. There is also provided, proceeding outwardly from the fluorescent tubes 55, a diffusion plate 56, a support plate 57 which may be of clear or colored plastic, and the architectural glass faceplate 58.

A slightly different embodiment is shown in that the letters forming the indicia being displayed (denoted by reference numeral 60) are of three dimensional form; and they are secured directly to the support plate 57. As seen in FIG. 7, the block letters 60 engage the rear surface of the architectural glass 58, although this is not necessary. In this example, the block letters 60 are impervious to light, whereas the support plate 57 on which the block letters 60 are mounted is transparent. Again, the uniform field of illumination is provided by the light source 55 and the diffusion plate 56; and color, if any, is provided by the plastic supporting plate 57. A unique display arrangement is obtained by virtue of the fact that the outward face of the block letters is darkened due to the low transmissivity of the glass 58 whereas the sides of the block letters 60 appear fully illuminated by the background illumination field.

The arrangement is more clearly illustrated in the perspective section view of FIG. 6 wherein the fluorescent tubes are again numbered 55, the diffusion plate 56, and the block letters 60, and the architectural glass 58. Here, however, although the display effect is the same, the block letters 60 are realized that such display arrangements are usually more permanent than the previously-described embodiment; and, therefore, the capability of having replacable elements is not. as important as in the previous example.

Another modification of the display system illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 is shown in FIGS. 8-9. As seen in FIG. 8, a conventional elevator operator panel has its display area modified to incorporate the present invention. The overall panel is generally designated 65 with the call buttons 66. Associated with each of the call buttons 66 is an indicia representing a floor. The present invention includes the exterior faceplate 67 of architectural glass followed by an indicia-bearing plate 67a (FIG. 9) on which the numbers representing the floors are imprinted; and, not seen, are the diffusion plate and a source of illumination.

In the present application, the light source illuminating the panel may be compartmentalized into a number of different sections; each pertaining to a different group of floors being serviced at different times by the elevatorassociated with the illustrated panel. For example, the panel could be divided into the compartments 67b and 67c as shown, with the central controls for the elevators set such that floors 3-6 are serviced at a particular time. With the inventive principle employed, the floor numbers associated with the compartment 67b would not be illuminated, and the corresponding numbers associated with the buttons would be imperceptible thereby indicating that the elevator'is not presently servicing these floors. The upper indicators 68 are made according to the same principle so that the number corresponding to the floor at which the elevator is stopped is illuminated-Other arrangements could be conceived employing this principle of selectively energizing different compartments using the improved arrangement of display indicia in glass.

Still another embodiment is illustrated in'FIGS. 10 and 11; and this particular application relates to a directoryor register of names or offices as might be found in a lobby of a large building. Referring to FIG. 11, the directory is housed in a cabinet having an open front face or window and containing a plurality of fluorescent tubes 81 behind a plastic diffusion plate 82 which may be of the same type as the previouslydescribed diffusion plate 34.

Each of the names being displayed is formed in negative on a strip (FIG. 15) of Mylar flexible film 83, the ends of which are provided with a patch of magnetic tape, as at 84. After the proper indicia are formed on the film 83 so that the indicia, see reference numeral 85 is transparent and the remainder of the film is opaque. Each individual element is die cut to specification and crimped longitudinally as at 86 to provide a forwardly projecting lip 87 which extends slightly forwardly and downwardly from the film strip 83. The reason for the lip 87 is so that when each of the film strips is placed in the directory, the lip 87 will overlap with the name strip immediately below and thereby form a light seal at the interstice between the two. This is seen in side section view in FIG. 12 wherein an upper name strip is designated 89 having a lower, forwardly-projecting lip 90 which overlaps the top portion of the next lower name strip designated 91.

Referring again to FIG. 11, the portions of the diffusion plate 82 which form the border or periphery about the column of film strips is shaded or otherwise darkened to form an opaque ground, seen at 92 in the drawing. For each of the columns fonned in the directory, there are two side grooves formed in the front of the diffusion plate 82; and two such grooves are designated 93 and 94 in FIG. 11. The groove 94 is seen in greater detail in section view in FIG. 12; and a metal strip 96 is mounted in each of these vertically-extending grooves. The width of each of the vertical grooves is just sufficient to receive the tabs of magnetic tape on the film strips; and the depth of the grooves is just sufficient to receive its associated strip of metal 96 and a tab of magnetic tape so that the name strip secured to the magnetic tape lies flush with the front surface of the diffusion plate 82. This is seen in greater detail in FIG. 13 wherein it can also be seen that a faceplate 97, similar to the previously-described faceplate of architectural glass having low light transmissivity, presses the columns of name strips in place. FIG. 14 shows an exploded section view of the elements comprising the display subassembly which fits into the directory cabinet 80.

The display subassembly is then slidable within grooves 98 at the top and bottom of the directory housing; and one of the housing sides 99 is removable so that the display subassembly can be slid to one side and the name strips easily replaced.

With this arrangement, it can be seen that very little time is needed to completely update a directory, while at the same time, the appearance to an observer is very pleasing in that the entire background of the film strips appears as an integral, unitary opaque ground which is darkened, and all of the names displayed by the directory are in proper vertical and horizontal alignment.

Turning now to FIGS. 10 and 10a, an alternative embodiment of the mechanism for securing the name strips to the diffusion plate is illustrated. As shown therein, a strip of film 100, similar to the previouslydescribed film strip 83, is provided at each end with an aperture for receiving a pin (seen in detail in FIG. 10a and designated 102) is integrally formed with a pin 103.

The height of the head of the stud 102 is equal to the height of its associated film strip 100; and each of the film strips is again provided with a lower lip 104 which projects in front of the film strip and beneath it, and is formed by means of a fold line 105 longitudinally of the strip. The lip 104, as described above, forms an overlap with the film strip beneath it to prevent the leaking of light between adjacent films.

A pair of vertical slides 106 and 107 is mounted on a diffusion plate 108; and each slide is provided with a central vertical groove 109 and 110, respectively, for receiving the pins 103 of the studs 102. The studs 102 are preferably magnetic; and the slides are formed of metal so that the film strips are held in vertical alignment by means of the groves 109 and 110 which receive the pins on the studs which, in turn, hold the plastic film. The film strips are held in horizontal alignment by means of the heads of the studs resting upon each other and pressed in place by a covering sheet of glass or plexiglass. Each film strip is conveniently removed by simply pulling out its associated stud; and it may be replaced by an opaque film strip, if desired. Covering the open face of the cabinet housing the register is a sheet of the previously-described architectural glass having transmissivity of the order of 10 percent.

Having thus described in detail a number of preferred embodiments and applications of the inventive principle, it will be obvious to persons skilled in the art that certain materials and configurations may be modified and materials substituted for those which have been described without departing from the inventive principle; and it is, therefore, intended that all such modifications and equivalents be covered as they are embraced within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A building directory system comprising: a cabinet provided with a front opening; a source of illumination mounted in said cabinet; a laminated faceplate mounted in said opening, said faceplate including first and second glass panels laminated together by a low light transmission film having a light transmissivity etwee 2 erce ta 25 er e t o thereb form an l ntegral unll; a plura l ty of in ic ia-laearing film members behind said faceplace, each film member having transparent indicia on an opaque ground, each film member further being provided with means for sealing with adjacent members to prevent light leaks between adjacent members, all of said members cooperating to provide a uniform opaque ground and being individually replaceable; and a diffusion plate interposed between said indicia-bearing members and said source of illumination to provide a uniform field of illumination for said transparent indicia.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein each of said film members is constructed and arranged to at least partially overlap adjacent such members for preventing light leaks, said display system being characterized by presenting a uniformly continuous ground for said indicia interposed between said light source and said faceplate whereby joints between adjacent of such film members are substantially invisible to an observer and the contrast seen by an observer at the indicia is enhanced by attenuation of the ambient light by said low light transmission film. 

1. A building directory system comprising: a cabinet provided with a front opening; a source of illumination mounted in said cabinet; a laminated faceplate mounted in said opening, said faceplate including first and second glass panels laminated together by a low light transmission film having a light transmissivity between 2 percent and 25 percent to thereby form an integral unit; a plurality of indicia-bearing film members behind said faceplace, each film member having transparent indicia on an opaque ground, each film member further being provided with means for sealing with adjacent members to prevent light leaks between adjacent members, all of said members cooperating to provide a uniform opaque ground and being individually replaceable; and a diffusion plate interposed between said indicia-bearing members and said source of illumination to provide a uniform field of illumination for said transparent indicia.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein each of said film members is constructed and arranged to at least partially overlap adjacent such members for preventing light leaks, said display system being characterized by presenting a uniformly continuous ground for said indicia interposed between said light source and said faceplate whereby joints between adjacent of such film members are substantially invisible to an observer and the contrast seen by an observer at the indicia is enhanced by attenuation of the ambient light by said low light transmission film. 